Oakville Man Arrested for Trio of Commercial Break-ins Across Waterloo Region

Waterloo Regional Police Service has announced a significant breakthrough in their investigation into a string of commercial break-ins that plagued businesses across the region late last year. A 37-year-old Oakville man, Andrew Williams, has been apprehended and now faces multiple charges in connection with three separate incidents in Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge.

The arrest comes after a thorough investigation by the General Investigations Unit, which meticulously pieced together evidence from the three distinct incidents.

Police allege that the spree of criminal activity occurred between October and December of 2023, causing disruption and loss for the affected businesses.

The first reported incident took place on October 20, 2023, when a commercial establishment in the vicinity of Bishop Street North and Cherry Blossom Road in Cambridge was targeted.

This was followed by a second break-in on December 17, 2023, impacting a business located in the busy area of University Avenue East and Bridge Street West in Waterloo. Just days later, on December 21, 2023, another commercial property, situated near Riverbend Drive and Manitou Drive in Kitchener, was reportedly breached.

Investigators worked diligently to connect the dots between these separate occurrences, ultimately leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect in February 2024.

The charges laid against Andrew Williams are extensive, reflecting the nature and scope of the alleged crimes.

Williams has been formally charged with three counts of break and enter, three counts of possession of stolen property – a serious charge indicating he was found with items believed to be acquired through criminal means.

Additionally, he faces one count of disguise with intent, suggesting an effort to conceal his identity during the commission of the alleged crimes, and one count of breach of probation, indicating he was already under court orders at the time of these incidents. The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing, as the community reflects on the importance of ongoing efforts to maintain security and deter such criminal acts.